Legislation is a proven instrument to help reaching energy ambitions. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is such an instrument, put in place on a European level and influencing legislation in all Member States in respect of energy use in the build environment. Integration of historic buildings in the EPBD will be a driving force in striving towards the ambitious energy goals that have been set.

3ENCULT explores the possibilities of this integration. Currently, most EPBD requirements exclude formally listed historic buildings. Evidently conservation aspects make it less evident to demand energy efficiency targets when historic buildings undergo major renovation. But there are alternatives thinkable which encourages the choice for energy saving measures, without asking for the impossible. For instance, the EPBD can require that during the renovation process of historic buildings the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of various energy saving measures is considered. The EPBD won’t require the implementation of these measures, regardless of the outcome of such analysis. But measures that turn out to be feasible stand a higher chance of being implemented than when they would not have been considered at all.

The first report of the 3ENCULT study on this topic can be found here. It introduces the recasted EPBD, especially where it concerns old and historic buildings, and presents our suggestions for energy performance calculations for historic buildings.  Since this is an ongoing task, please check the website for more information on this topic in a later stage.

 
Further Information:
Marleen Spiekman (TNO), marleen.spiekman@tno.nl